Japanese national accused of robbing compatriot nabbed in entrapment

MANILA, Philippines—A Japanese national was arrested in an entrapment operation by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation after he allegedly demanded P2 million from a compatriot in exchange for the lifting of a supposed blacklist order against the latter.

In a report by the NBI Anti-Organized Crime Division, the suspect was identified as Katsuda Iida, residing at 448 City State Tower Hotel, A. Mabini corner Padre Faura Streets, Ermita, Manila.

The operation stemmed from a complaint filed last Monday by Masayoshi Kawamoto, a tourist temporarily residing on Chino Roces Avenue, Makati City, against Iida, Shin Ito, Tetsuya Kaname and a certain “Jeff.”

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The complainant said he arrived in the Philippines last August to discuss a business proposal with Kaname, who borrowed 6 million yen (P2.5 million) from him.

Ito also borrowed 3.7 million yen from the complainant while Kaname had a balance of 1 million yen, which they refused to pay.

The two, together with Iida and Jeff, had allegedly connived to intimidate and threaten Kawamoto by making it appear he was in the blacklist order of the Bureau of Immigration.

The suspects also allegedly demanded 7 million yen in exchange for the lifting of the blacklist order and if Kawamoto failed to give the money, they would do everything to have him deported.

The NBI-AOCD planned an entrapment operation after Iida contacted Kawamoto and told him to bring the money on Tuesday afternoon at the restaurant lobby of the City State Tower Hotel.

When an NBI agent, posing as Kawamoto’s female companion, handed the marked money to Iida, other agents introduced themselves and arrested him.

Iida underwent inquest proceedings at the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of Article 293 of the Revised Penal Code (robbery with intimidation of a person).

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